How To Play Your Steam Games On Android And iOS Devices

Later this month Valve is introducing a notable extension to its Steam Link service in the form of two free apps that will allow gamers to stream their Steam library to smart TVs, iOS and Android devices.

Way back in 2015 I made a bold, if flawed, prediction: Microsoft would allow PC-to-Xbox streaming -- including your Steam library -- and put the nail in the coffin of Steam Machines. Hey, we can dream right? Ironically, Valve itself sort of sealed the fate of its own Steam Machines with Steam Link, an inexpensive little box that lets you stream your games to any TV in the house with an HDMI connection.

Valve's Steam LinkValve

Now Valve is extending that functionality to iPads, iPhones and Android smartphones, tablets and TVs when it launches the Steam Link app the week of May 21. The app will also support the Steam Controller, MFI controllers "and more" across both platforms.

Valve has stated that the Android version of the app will initially launch in Beta.

You'll obviously still need your main gaming rig to accomplish the task, as well as an Ethernet or solid 5GHz wireless connection. It shouldn't be necessary to own a Steam Link box this time around, as Steam already has a built-in streaming service to beam games to less powerful (read: non-gaming) PCs and Macs.

This is the same functionality devices like Nvidia's Shield have offered for years, but in a significantly less expensive solution.

Valve will also launch a free Steam Video app later this summer, accomplishing the same functionality for your library of Steam movies, likely without needing your host PC to be on. This app will work over your phone's LTE connection in addition to your home network. I don't typically consume my films on Steam, but it's clearly an effort by Valve to push more users to the service. For frequent travelers who have built up a decent collection of video on the platform, I'd imagine it's a dream come true.

The only outstanding question is whether tackling your backlog of Steam games on a tablet or phone will be a lag-free experience.

Hey Sony and Microsoft: How about a Steam Link app for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One next?